Method and system for facilitating service delivery to users in a communications system

ABSTRACT

A method and system of facilitating service delivery to a first user (A) registered with a home network (home PLMN) for a particular service having an associated announcement accessible to a service subsystem ( 4,9 ) of the home network in a communications system while the user is roaming in a visited network (visited PLMN) of the communications system. The user is identified for the home network and a connection is initiated from the first user (A) to a second user (B) registered any network of the communications system. The initiated connection is routed to the service subsystem ( 9 ) of the home network, the service subsystem ( 9 ) of the home network delivers the announcement to the first user, and the service subsystem ( 9 ) of the home network establishes a connection between the first and second user (A and B).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system of facilitatingservice delivery to users in a communications system, and moreparticularly to a method and system of facilitating service delivery toa first user registered with a home network for a particular servicehaving an associated announcement accessible to a service subsystem ofsaid home network in a communications system while the user is roamingin a visited network or PLMN of the communications system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Today's mobile telephone communications networks such as GSM, publicswitched telecommunications networks (PSTN), ISDN, ATM, Internet etc.provide many different more or less sophisticated tele and datacommunications services for users and providers, regional as well asworld-wide. The demands for increased benefit of the network operator,the service provider, and the service subscriber have brought forth theconcept of Intelligent Network (IN). An Intelligent Network is atelecommunications concept that meets the market demand, from networkoperators and service providers, for advanced services within theexisting telephony network. IN is a network architecture connected tothe basic network (for instance a fixed or mobile network), enablingfaster, easier, and more flexible service implementation and servicecontrol. This is effected by transferring the service control from theswitching centre to a separate functional IN unit. Thus, the servicebecome independent of the basic network operation, and the basic networkstructure and software need not be changed when services are altered oradded. Examples of such services are Premium Rate calls, Mobile VirtualPrivate Network, Prepaid charging and Personal Number. Different networkproviders offer different sets of services including both charged andfree services.

A number of standard services are available in every GSM network. Thereare, however, additional non-standard services that have to be agreed onbetween operators if these services would be available to the users evenwhen they are roaming outside their home network or PLMN (public landmobile network.

Billing for usage of the networks and their associated services isachieved by means of a payment mechanism. Both post-paid and pre-paidsystems (PPS) are used. In prior art pre-paid systems it is commonpractice to load an account with money and then deduct the accountbalance due to subscriber usage.

In pre-paid as well as post-paid systems it is sometimes necessary tosend announcements to users (subscribers) utilising or trying to utiliseservices delivered by the system. For normal voice calls there are anumber of types of announcements, such as Call setup, In call and Callcut-off announcements. “Your account is too low for the call” is oneexample of a service delivered by the communications system to a user ina pre-paid system, when a user tries to make a call without enough moneyon its account for the call. During an ongoing call the user may receivethe following message “The call will be disconnected due to lack ofmoney”. Another example of an announcement is “Your not allowed to callthis number”. These and several other announcements can be sent to usersin communications systems or networks. The announcements are notnecessarily voice or text announcements, but also tone or dataannouncements.

At least some of the announcements have to be provided to users ofservices performed by its home network, both when the user is within itshome network and when the user is roaming outside its home network.There are some important aspects to consider particularly in the secondcase, i.e. when the user is roaming. One aspect is the problem ofplaying the correct announcement with respect to the action performed bythe home network. Another aspect is that, in case of a voice or textannouncement and that the user is roaming abroad within the cover of avisited network or PLMN providing announcements in a foreign language,the announcement has to be played or reproduced in a language suitablefor the user.

Another problem is to reproduce compound announcements, including afixed part and a variable part correctly in the language at hand in thecountry in the network into which the user is roaming. One example ofthis is an announcement like “You have 72 SEK on your account forusage”, wherein 72 SEK is the variable part. If the text announcement isa standard announcement the visited network has a correspondingannouncement in the language of the visited country. However, a problemmay sometimes arise in the translation of the variable part, “72” inthis case. “72” should not be read “seven two” but rather “seventy two”in english and “zwei und siebzig” in german rather than “siebzig zwei”.The problem is relevant even in other languages and with other variableparts.

The first aspects are addressed by WO98/37685, which discloses a methodof delivering announcements to a user of a communications system whenroaming in a network other than the user's home network. A servicesubsystem of the user's home network is caused to pass anannouncement—associated with a particular service registered for theuser in the home network—to a service subsystem of the visited network.The announcement is transferred to media delivery means of the MSC(mobile switching centre) of the service subsystem of the visitednetwork over a data network, such as SS7 or the Internet. Then, theannouncement is delivered from the media delivery means of the visitednetwork, over a bearer connection of the visited network, to the user.

A disadvantage with the method of WO98/37685 is that the numbering andlanguage of announcements have to be coordinated between the operatorsof the home and visited networks. This can be a huge problem ifagreements should be reached and co-ordination should be made betweenoperators around the world.

The 3G TS 23.078 release of the Customised Applications for Mobilenetwork Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) Phase 3—Stage 2 provides guidelines forimplementation of a method of playing a “correct” announcement withrespect to the action performed by the home network, and playing it in asuitable language for the user, even when the user is roaming in anothernetwork than its home network. This method of providing the “correct”announcement in a suitable language is achieved by establishing atemporary connection from the user in the visited network to the homenetwork for announcement delivery, when a connection is initiated from afirst user to a second user registered with any network of thecommunications system. A service subsystem of the home network deliversthe announcement to the first user and the temporary connection has tobe disconnected before the initiated call is set up between the firstand second user.

This CAMEL solution results in increased transmission cost, twodifferent calls has to be set up, one for the announcement and anotherbetween the first and second user. Since the user is not aware of thisextra connection to the home network, it can be difficult to get paidfor that extra temporary connection from the user. Another disadvantagewith this CAMEL solution is that the call set-up time is increased,because the two “calls” has to be set up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved methodof facilitating service delivery to a first user registered with a homenetwork or PLMN for a particular service having an associatedannouncement accessible to a service subsystem of said home network in acommunications system while the user is roaming in a visited network orPLMN of the communications system, that overcomes the problem anddisadvantages set forth above in connection with the prior art.

This object is achieved by a method of facilitating service delivery toa first user registered with a home network for a particular servicehaving an associated announcement accessible to a service subsystem ofthe home network in a communications system while the user is roaming ina visited network of the communications system. A connection isinitiated from the first user to a second user registered with anynetwork of the communications system. The initiated connection isfurther routed to the service subsystem of the home network, and theservice subsystem of the home network delivers the announcement to thefirst user. During the same couple the service subsystem of the homenetwork establishes a connection between the first and second user.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a data processingsystem and associated software for working the method of facilitatingservice delivery and associated announcements according to theinvention.

This is achieved by a data processing system according to the inventionfor use in a service subsystem of an electronic communication system,comprising computer processing means for processing data, and storagemeans connected to said computer processing means for storing data on astorage medium, which receivs information for initiating a connectionfrom said first user to a second user registered with any network of thecommunications system, establishes a connection with the first user onrequest for delivery of an announcement to the first user during acouple, and establishes a connection between the first and second userduring the same couple.

An advantage of the present invention is that since a majority of callsfrom mobile phones roaming in a visited network is to the user's homenetwork, the user will have a shorter average call set-up time. It isalso more cost effective for the operator since the number of callsetups will be decreased. The present invention will have a particularvalue in prepaid charging systems, because prepaid is a service whichfrequently makes use of announcements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to explain the invention in more detail and the advantages andfeatures of the invention, a preferred embodiment will be described indetail below, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, inwhich

FIG. 1 is a schematical view of a part of a cellular mobile telephonenetwork,

FIG. 2 is a schematical view of an intelligent network (IN)implementation of the network in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a schematical view of a part of a cellular mobile telephonenetwork, including a system of facilitating service announcementdelivery according to the invention to users in a communications system,

FIG. 4 is a schematical view of an intelligent network implementation ofthe network in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a signalling diagram illustrating an embodiment of the methodaccording to the invention,

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a first part of the method of facilitatingservice delivery users in a communications system,

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a second part of the method of facilitatingservice delivery users in a communications system,

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a third part of the method of facilitatingservice delivery users in a communications system, and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a fourth part of the method of facilitatingservice delivery users in a communications system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a cellular mobile telephone networkarchitecture is shown, which is a service providing network such as anintelligent network (IN) facilitating service delivery according to theinvention to users in a communications system.

Cellular telephone service, such as GSM, involves the subdivision of aservice area into a number of smaller cells. Each cell requires a basestation (BSS) 1 and an antenna 2. The base station 1 performs theswitching function as well as the tracking of mobile telephone users. Agateway mobile services switching centre (GMSC) 4 or only mobileservices switching centre (MSC) 5 provides the network with specificdata about individual mobile phones 1 and operates as an interfacetowards other networks such as other PLMNs, ISDN or the public switchednetwork (PSTN) 6 in the communications system. The (G)MSC 4 and 5comprises a data processing system, including a computer processor forprocessing data, and storage means connected to the computer processorfor storing data on a storage medium.

Cellular systems are based on both analogue and digital transmission.Digital cellular systems provide the best quality with the least amountof bandwidth. Different kinds of principles such as TDMA or CDMAtechnologies are used for digital cellular systems, such as GSM.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematical view of an intelligentnetwork implementation of the network in FIG. 1. The intelligent networkIN has a signalling network, which performs message switching betweennetwork elements. In this embodiment of the invention, a specific typeof signalling protocol, signalling system 7 (SS7), is used for theexchange of information messages and carries many types of informationelements, which are useful for intelligent network services. However,SS7 is only an example and the signalling protocol can be anotherprotocol such as the Internet Protocol (IP) etc. Additionally, theintelligent network includes a service switching point (SSP) 8 locatedin the (G)MSC 4, 5. The SSP 8 detects events indicating a call requiringIN and after this triggering, it suspends call processing and starts aseries of transactions with a service control point (SCP) 9. The SCP 9is a real-time database system that, based on a query from the SSP 8,performs subscriber- or application-specific service logic, controllingthe call set-up and call flow. A home location register (HLR) 10 storesthe identity and user data of all the subscribers belonging to the areaof the related (G)MSC 4, 5. The HLR 10 provides the (G)MSC 4, 5 with thenecessary subscriber data when a call is coming from a public switchednetwork (PSTN) 6, an ISDN network, the Internet etc. A visitors locationregister (VLR) 11 contains relevant data of all mobiles currentlylocated or roaming within a serving (G)MSC 4, 5. The VLR 11 has tosupport the (G)MSC 4, 5 during call establishment when a call is comingfrom a mobile telephone 1. A service data point (SDP) 12 is a databasecontaining data service class data and tariff data. Rating and charginganalysis is also handled in the SDP 12, in this embodiment.

Before a mobile telephone user can make a phone call or use anotherservice provided by the network he/she has to be either a pre-paid orpost-paid “subscriber”.

FIG. 3 is a schematical view of a part of a cellular mobile telephonenetwork, including a system of facilitating service announcementdelivery according to the invention to users in a communications system.The different parts or modules numbered 1–6 described in connection withFIG. 1, form part of the cellular mobile telephone home network or homePLMN (public land mobile network) in a first country, for exampleSweden. Corresponding parts or modules in FIG. 2 are numbered 1′–6′, andform part of the cellular mobile telephone network or visited PLMN in asecond country, for example Italy.

A user A of a mobile phone in FIG. 3 is connected to an operator and isa subscriber to a mobile network, its home network or HPLMN-A. Thisembodiment of the invention illustrates a case of a user being apre-paid subscriber, but it is not limited thereto. The user isregistered for one or more services provided by the home network. Someof the services have associated announcements for delivery to users atsuitable occasions. In a pre-paid as well as post-paid systems it issometimes necessary to send announcements to users (subscribers)utilising or trying to utilise services delivered by the system. In apre-paid system announcements like “Your account is too low for thecall”, when a user tries to make a call with not enough money on theaccount for the call, or “The call will be disconnected due to lack ofmoney” during an ongoing call are possible. These and several otherannouncements can be sent to users in communications systems or networksand should be send in a language suitable for the user. Theannouncements are not necessarily voice or text announcements, but alsotone or data announcements.

In this embodiment of the invention there are three kinds ofannouncements available for normal voice calls, namely Call setup, InCall, and Call cut-off announcements. There are also announcements for arefill call or balance inquiry via the IVR (Interactive Voice Response).

-   -   Call setup announcement: Call setup announcements are        announcements played before the call is set up towards the        called party or as a result of the calling party being barred        from reaching the called destination.    -   In Call announcement: The service plays an In call announcement        at a configurable time before call cut-off due to account        depletion and is normally realised as a tone.    -   Call cut-off announcement: The Call cut-off announcement is        played before the disconnection of a call. It is used to inform        the subscriber that there is not enough money on the account for        the call to continue.    -   Announcements via IVR: By giving announcements and voice prompts        to the subscriber, and receiving DTMF in response, the IVR helps        the caller to refill their account or to do balance inquiry.

Text messages providing the subscriber with information on their accountare sent by means of Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD).There are two messages that can be sent to the end user, balance inquiryinformation and notification at the end of call in this embodiment.

-   -   Balance inquiry: It is possible for a subscriber to get the        account balance presented on the display of the mobile by        sending a USSD message including a service code.    -   Notification at end of call: As an optional feature offered on a        Service Class Basis, PPS can send the cost of the last call and        the new account balance after each charged call or event.

When a user, for example the user A in FIG. 3, roams from its homenetwork in Sweden to a visited network or PLMN in Italy, standardservices for which the user has registered in its home network are stillavailable in the visited network. The roaming is illustrated by an arcshaped arrow from a dashed lined phone A in the home network area to abold lined phone A in the visited network in FIG. 3. The bold dashedline in the middle of FIG. 3 illustrates the “borderline” between thehome and visited network.

The “cloud” on the borderline represents a transmission network ornetworks 7 for signal transmission (SS7) and speech and/or datatransmission. For example, the GSM system uses TDMA for speechtransmission. The signal and speech transmission can use a commonnetwork or separate networks.

Referring no to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematical view of anintelligent network implementation of a part of the network in FIG. 3.As mentioned above, the intelligent network IN has a signalling network,which performs message switching between network elements. In thisembodiment of the invention, the specific type of signalling protocol,signalling system SS7, which is useful for intelligent network services,is used for the exchange of information messages and carries many typesof information elements within the home network as well as over the“borderline” to/from the visited network. However, SS7 is only anexample and the signalling protocol can be another protocol such as theInternet Protocol (IP). The different parts or modules numbered 4–12also described in connection with FIG. 2, form part of the signallingnetwork of the home PLMN (public land mobile network). Correspondingparts or modules in FIG. 4 are numbered 4′–12′, and form part of thesignalling network or visited PLMN.

The method according to the present invention of facilitating servicedelivery to a first user registered with a home network for a particularservice having an associated announcement accessible to a servicesubsystem of the home network HPLMN-A in a communications system, whilethe user is roaming in a visited network VPLMN of the communicationssystem, is described in connection with a signalling diagram in FIG. 5and the combined signalling (dashed line) and data/voice (solid line)path diagrams in FIG. 6–9.

The vertical bar to the left in FIG. 5 represents the (G)MSC 4′, 5′ andits SSF of the visited network in FIGS. 3 and 4. The bar in the middlerepresents the (G)MSC 4, 5 and its SSF in the home network, and the barto the right represents the SCF in the SCP 9 ₁ of the home network.

With reference to FIG. 6, a call is initiated from the user A—when he isroaming in the visited network—to a user B in the home network of user Ain step 101. A dials the number e.g. +46703102030 to B. The accesssignal reaches the MSC 5′ that is serving A's mobile station(MSC-VPLMN). The MSC 5′ checks the VLR for A's subscriber data and findsthat O-CSI is active^(a) and that IN is needed. The traffic controlsubsystem of the MSC 5′ in the VPLMN calls for IN assistance by passingan IN Service Trigger^(b) (IST) to the SSF in step 102. Thedatastructures described below is not defined in the standard and actualimplementation may vary.

a. O-CSI may be set to on/off. If it is set to on, the O-CSI alsoindicates the service and the SCP for the service as follows:[on|service_key|SCP_address]

b. The IST includes O-CSI data, reason for the triggering and other dataas follows: [trigger_type|service_key|SCP_address| . . . ].

The SSF of the MSC 5′ in the visited network determines the relevanttrigger table, based on the IST. Further, the SSF interrogates the SCFof the SCP 9 in the home network by sending an Initial DP (a CAMELmessage), i.e. invokes a service in the SCF and provides call data tothe SCF for the service in step 103.

With reference to FIG. 7, the prep aid IN logic in the SCP 9 starts toexecute and checks for example that there is enough funds on the accountto cover the cost of the call. In a case where A is running out of fundsthe announcement “You have 5 dollars left” should be played to the user.The SCF of the SCP 9 in the home network instructs the SSF of the MSC 5′in the visited network to set up a connection or couple to the (G)MSC 4in the home network. That is, the SCP 9 passes the control and andinstructs the SSF in the MSC 5′ of the VPLMN to set up the call towardsa predetermined special number in the HPLMN in step 104, this specialnumber is denoted B*.

The SCP 9 also compiles data necessary to later retrieve call status,(CallStatusData). CallStatusData may include the type of service, e.g.prepaid, A-number, B-number, announcement reference and a call identity(call_id), which are transferred to the SSF of the MSC 5′ in step 104.

In step 105 a–d, the SSF of the MSC 5′ in the visited network sets up aconnection or couple to the SSF of the GMSC 4 in the home network viainternational exchanges 13′,13, using the received B*-number andCallStatusData or call_id being transferred. When the GMSC 4 in the homenetwork receives a call to the B*-number it detects this as a callrequiring IN. This detection may be either coded in the GMSC 4/MSC 5 orthe B*-number could be defined in the HLR/VLR as a subscription numberrequiring IN (O-CSI active). Anyhow the IN will be triggered analogousto step 102 above. This process is normally referred to as Number BasedTriggering or in CAMEL as Serving Network Dialled Services.

Instead of passing CallStatusData in step 104, the necessary data canalternatively be saved in the SCP (or SDP Service Data Point) in step103 and only the call_id is passed in the connect operation in step 104.

A problem is that some older international signalling schemes like forexample CCITT No. 5 would remove not known information like theCallStatusData or call_id. A solution to this problem in the alternativewhere the call_id is sent is to use parts of the number space of theB*-number (normally 15 digits). One example could be <467039999 112233>where the 9999 is the HPLMN unique B*-number and 112233 is the call_id.A solution to further extend the address space for the call_id would beto use the over decadic TBCD (Telephony Binary Coded Digits) characterslike * or #.

In the latter case, and when the B*-number is defined as Serving NetworkDialled Service number in the HLR/VLR, the MSC/GMSC would have to detectthat it is such a number so that the call_id may be removed before doingHLR/VLR database look up.

An Initial DP CAMEL message including the CallStatusData or call_idneeded to restore the call state and continue service execution is alsosent from the SSF of the GMSC 5 in the home network to the SCF of theSCP 9 in the home network in step 106. Other protocols than CAMEL, likeCS1/CS1+ can be used for intra-PLMN IN signalling in alternativeembodiments of the invention.

The SCF in the home network instructs in step 107 the SSF in the homenetwork to play or generate an announcement for the user over theconnection (speech transmission channel) set up in step 105 a–d. Theseand other not mentioned components operating in the delivery of aservice and an associated announcement are referred to as the servicesubsystem. If the SSF and SRF are co-located, the SCP instructs the SSFto connect to the Service Resource Function SRF 14, an announcementmachine in this embodiment, by sending the (CAMEL) operationConnectToResource. The SCP then uses the (CAMEL) operationPlayAnnouncement to order the SSF to order the announcement to beplayed. If the SRF is standalone it would normally have a so calledassisting SSF. In the standalone case the SCP would directly connect tothe SRF.

With reference to FIG. 8, the SSF of the GMSC 4 instructs the trafficcontrol system to connect the announcement machine and the announcementis played to A in step 108. Then, the SRF 14 in the home network playsthe announcement, transparently through the MSC 5′ in the visitednetwork, via the speech transmission channel further to the user A.

The SSF surveys the announcement and is notified when the announcementis played and the connection is closed. When this occurs the SSFnotifies the SCP about the event with the (CAMEL) operationSpecializedResourceReport in step 109. This report may be omitted byinstead using for example a timer to track when the announcement havebeen played.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the SCP 9 instructs the SSF of the GMSC 4 inthe home network to disconnect from the SRF or the announcement machineby sending CAMEL operation DisconnectForwardConnection in step 110.

The disconnection may also be done implicit at end of announcement bythe SRF or by the SSF. Next, the SCP 9 instructs the SSF to connect thecall to B using the (CAMEL) operation Connect in step 111. Theconnection already set up between the SSF of the MSC 5′ in the visitednetwork and the SSF of the GMSC 4 in the home network for the initiatedcall from the user A to user B is redirected to the user B.

The SSF sets up the call leg to B and connects the incoming and outgoinglegs in step 112.

The call is surveyed and finally torn down according to knownGSM/IN/Prepaid principles and is not further described here.

The method of the present invention is preferably implemented incomputer software executable preferably by a distributed data processingsystem forming part of the overall communication system. Morespecifically, the service subsystem forms part of the SCP and the SCFand is either a separate data processing system or is a subsystem of theoverall communication system for communication with other devices,components or data processing system/s in the communication system ofthe network. In one embodiment of the data processing system accordingto the invention it comprises a computer processor for processing data,and a storage connected to the computer processor for storing data on astorage medium.

In this embodiment of the invention, the computer processor of theservice subsystem in the home network is configured to receiveinformation identifying the presence of the user in the visited networkand information for initiating a connection from a first user to asecond user registered with any network of the communications system.The data processing system is further configured to establish aconnection with the first user on request for delivery of anannouncement to the first user under a couple, and establish aconnection between the first and second user during the same couple. Theannouncement can be delivered either before the connection isestablished between the first and second user or even during an alreadyestablished connection.

It should be apparent that the present invention provides an improvedmethod and system for use in an electronic communication network,providing real-time updating of available network service access forstations connected to the network, and necessary functionality for apre/post-paid system, that fully satisfies the aims and advantages setforth above. Although the invention has been described in conjunctionwith a specific embodiment thereof, this invention is susceptible ofembodiments in different forms, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to thespecific embodiment illustrated.

Although the method is described in conjunction with a mobile telephonecall in an intelligent network the method is applicable on anycommunication session and other communication services in other kind ofnetworks. For example, the method and system according to the inventionare applicable in other mobile telephone networks, public switchedtelecommunications networks (PSTN), ISDN, ATM, Internet etc., whichprovide many different more or less sophisticated tele and datacommunications services for users and providers.

Further, not just announcements is handled by the method and systemaccording to the invention, but any service requiring assist from aService Resource Point/Function.

The services is not limited to beginning of call, but could also bein-call or at end of call within the scope of the invention.

1. A method of facilitating service delivery to a first user registeredwith a home network for a particular service having an associatedservice accessible to a service subsystem of said home network in acommunications system while the first user is roaming in a visitednetwork of the communications system, comprising: initiating aconnection between said first user and a second user registered with anynetwork of said communications system, a subsystem of said visitednetwork, sending an invocation of a service to said service subsystem ofsaid home network, establishing call status data necessary forre-establishment of call state of said service subsystem, storing saidcall status data in a storage of said service subsystem, said servicesubsystem of said home network instructing said subsystem of the visitednetwork to set up a connection between the first user via said subsystemof the visited network to the service subsystem of the home network,setting up said connection, detecting, by the home network, theconnection as a connection requiring Intelligent Network service,wherein the detecting includes calling a specific number, delivering theassociated service to the first user via said connection, disconnectingthe delivery of said associated service, and redirecting said connectionfrom said first user to said second user.
 2. A method of facilitatingservice delivery to a first user registered with a home network for aparticular service while the first user is roaming in a visited networkof the communications system, the method comprising: initiating aconnection between said first user and a second user registered with anynetwork of said communications system, sending, by a subsystem of saidvisited network, an invocation of a service to a service subsystem ofsaid home network which has access to an associated service for theparticular service, instructing, by said service subsystem of said homenetwork, said subsystem of the visited network to set up a connectionbetween the first user via said subsystem of the visited network to theservice subsystem of the home network, setting up said connection,delivering the associated service to the first user via said connection,disconnecting the delivery of said associated service, and redirectingsaid connection from said first user to said second user.
 3. The methodof claim 2, further comprising establishing call status data necessaryfor re-establishment of call state of said service subsystem.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising the home network detecting theconnection as a connection requiring Intelligent Network service.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein said detection is performed by a call to aspecific number.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising storingsaid call status data in a storage of said service subsystem.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the method comprises, after the step ofsetting up said connection, the further step of retrieving said storedcall status data of said connection from said memory means for use indelivering said service.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the steps ofinstructing said subsystem of the visited network to set up aconnection, and setting up said connection, including the transfer of acall identity of said initiated connection.
 9. The method of claim 3,wherein the steps of instructing said subsystem of the visited networkto set up a connection, and selling up said connection, including thetransfer of said call status data.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising using said call status data to re-establish call state ofsaid connection.
 11. The method of claim 3, wherein the call status datacomprises the type of service, the number of the first user and thenumber of the second user.
 12. The method of any of the claim 5, whereinthe call identity is a part of said specific number.
 13. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the associated service is an announcement.
 14. Themethod of claim 2, wherein said second user is identified as beingwithin said home network of said first user.
 15. A data processingsystem for use in an electronic communication system facilitatingservice delivery to a first user registered with a home network for aparticular service having an associated announcement accessible to aservice subsystem of said home network in said communications systemwhile the user is roaming in a visited network of the communicationssystem, comprising distributed computer processing means for processingdata, storage means connected to said distributed computer processingmeans for storing data on a storage medium, wherein that saiddistributed computer processing means of said communication system isconfigured to execute the method claim
 1. 16. A data processing systemaccording to claim 15, wherein said communications system is a mobilecommunications system.
 17. A data processing system comprising: acomputer processing means for processing data for use in a servicesubsystem of an electronic communication system facilitating servicedelivery to a first user registered with a home network for a particularservice having an associated announcement accessible to said servicesubsystem of said home network in said communications system while theuser is roaming in a visited network of the communications system, astorage means connected to said computer processing means for storingdata on a storage medium, wherein said computer processing means of saidservice subsystem of said home network is configured to: receive aninvocation of a service from a subsystem of said visited network,instruct said subsystem of the visited network to set up a connectionbetween the first user via said subsystem of the visited network to theservice subsystem of the home network, delivering the associated serviceto the first user via said connection, disconnect the delivery of saidassociated service, and redirect said connection from said first user tosaid second user.
 18. A data processing system according to claim 17,wherein said communications system is a mobile communications system.19. A computer program element comprising computer program code means tomake a distributed data processing system for use in a communicationssystem, facilitating service delivery to a first user registered with ahome network for a particular service having an associated announcementaccessible to a service subsystem of said home network in saidcommunications system while the user is roaming in a visited network ofthe communications system, to perform the method of claim 1.